Associations between dietary patterns, eating behaviours, and body composition and adiposity in 3‐year‐old children of mothers with obesity

Abstract

Summary Background The relationships between eating habits, behaviours, and the development of obesity in preschool children is not well established. Objective As children of mothers with obesity are themselves at risk of obesity, we examined these relationships in a cohort of 482 three‐year‐old children of mothers with obesity from the UK Pregnancy Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT). Method Dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis of an 85‐item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Eating behaviours were assessed using the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). Measures of body composition included age‐specific BMI cut‐offs, WHO z scores, sum of skinfolds, waist and arm circumferences, and body fat percentage. Using adjusted regression analysis, we examined associations between dietary patterns, eating behaviours, and measures of body composition. Results Three distinct dietary patterns were defined: “healthy/prudent,” “African/Caribbean,” and “processed/snacking.” The “processed/snacking” pattern was associated with greater odds of obesity; OR 1.53 (95% CI, 1.07‐2.19). The “African/Caribbean” and the “healthy/prudent” patterns were associated with a lower arm circumference (β = −0.23 cm [−0.45 to −0.01]) and sum of skinfolds (β = −1.36 cm [−2.88 to −0.37]), respectively. Lower enjoyment of food and food responsiveness, and greater slowness in eating and satiety, were associated with lower arm and waist circumferences, WHO z scores, and obesity (all P < .05). Conclusion In children of mothers with obesity, those who had higher scores on a “processed/snacking” dietary pattern had greater odds of obesity. In contrast, slowness in eating was associated with lower measures of body composition. These novel findings highlight modifiable behaviours in high‐risk preschool children which could contribute to public health strategies for prevention of childhood obesity.

Adiposity and cardiovascular outcomes in three‐year‐old children of participants inUPBEAT, anRCTof a complex intervention in pregnant women with obesity

“…In a planned follow up of the older children, we shall explore long term effects of the intervention on the mothers' behaviours and her health outcomes including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Healthier behaviours in mothers may also impact upon the health of her offspring as they age, and of other family members, although we have previously reported no differences between dietary patterns in the 3 year old children from mothers in the standard care and intervention arms 40 . As the children grow older, we shall nonetheless assess relationships between in utero and contemporary family exposures with child health outcomes.…”

The relationship between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and infant appetitive feeding behaviour at 6 months

“…In particular, while enjoyment of food is positively associated with a higher risk of overweight in childhood 37,38 , slowness in eating is negatively associated 38 . Therefore, our findings suggest that a 'Health-conscious' dietary pattern in women with GDM may potentially decrease the risk of later overweight/obesity of their offspring, particularly in boys 39,40 . The reason for these sex-specific associations is unclear.…”

Modifiable early life exposures associated with adiposity and obesity in 3‐year old children born to mothers with obesity

“…The nutritional exposures were recorded at 3‐years of age and included (1) a “processed/snacking” dietary pattern score, (2) child's food responsiveness and (3) slowness in eating. The data collection and methodology of these dietary variables have been published previously 29 . In brief, dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis of a culturally appropriate 85‐item food frequency questionnaire.…”